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Mozart: 4 Horn Concertos - van Zelm, de Vriend

Mozart: 4 Horn Concertos - van Zelm, de Vriend

Etcetera  KTC 5253

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Orchestral


Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4

Paul van Zelm (natural horn)
Combattimento Consort Amsterdam
Jan Willem de Vriend (conductor)

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Review by John Broggio - April 1, 2007

Just as in the wonderful Haydn: Cello Concertos 1-2 - Viersen, de Vriend, the Combattimento Consort Amsterdam prove to be fantastic "period" performers - they rival any other ensemble I have heard in this type of music. To get an insight into the quality and sheer joie-de-vivre exhibited, try the Rondo of the concluding 4th concerto (they are played in the order: 2, 3, 1, 4). There is more to their playing and in the slow movements, they make delightfully eloquent accompanists.

Anyway, good as the orchestral playing is, it will amount to nothing if Paul van Zelm's playing is not in the same league. Rest assured, the orchestra is not let down - I imagine there was a lot of mutual inspiration generated in the sessions - there is a real sense of playful music making in evidence here. The sound generated from the natural horn is lyrical at times and robust at others although not in the least insensitive. The tempi are sprightly in the allegros and they move with grace in the slow movements. The sense of interpretative freedom is a joy to the ear and is most easily demonstrated in the cadenzas that van Zelm wrote himself. This is playing to which Dennis Brain would have been proud to put his name...

The recording is very well managed (it emanates from a Cryston master) and portrays a nice image for all concerned. There is a good level of internal detail too.

This disc is enthusiastically recommended and I cannot imagine anyone not finding a great deal of pleasure from this release (even "period" instrument phobics).

Copyright © 2007 John Broggio and HRAudio.net

Performance:

Sonics (Multichannel):

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